Chapter 4: The Bayleaf
Bianca's POV
THIS. IS. THE. DAY!
I'm already dressed up and ready to take off! Lol. Airplaine lang ang peg?
Anyways, I can't contact Chloe for crying out loud! I told her na aalis kami ng 6:45 pm para 'di ako maabutan ni Justin dito sa bahay, but what?! Mukhang mauuna pa ata yung lalaking yun kesa sa kanya! Sometimes talaga, I doubt her eh. Parang botong-boto sya sa epal na lalaking yun? Kainis.
Isa pa yung inasikaso nyang supplier ng coffee beans na nasa may Makati, nakikisabay pa! Late na nga yung delivery nung product, wala pang follow-up sa café namin! Anong klaseng service ba naman yun? Nag-initiate na tuloy si Chloe kanina na sya na yung pupunta dun sa nearest branch nila sa'min for the follow-up dahil super badtrip na ko kanina, to the point na wala na kong kinakausap kung hindi si Chloe lang.
*Bbeeppp! Bbeeeppp!* Sometimes, timing is really a b*tch.
Seems like nandyan na ang hari ng kayabangan! Badtrip talaga si Chloe for leaving meeee! Pero mas badtrip yung supplier! Ugh!
*knock knock*
"Bea? Nandyan na yung sundo mo, anak." My mom popped her head up when she opened the door.
"Hey, mom!" I greeted.
"Oh! Halika na sa baba. Justin is waiting for you sa living room na." She said as she sat beside me on my bed.
"Mom.... I- -"
"Hey, you okay anak? May sakit kaba?" Fine. I can't afford to lie to her. 'Di rin kaya ng konsensya ko na pagalalahanin sya na baka may sakit ako kahit wala naman talaga.
"No, mom. I... just... I just have this weird feeling, something new for me, who doesn't date anyone yet, you know?" She smiled and patted my head and hug me. Oh ghad! I badly need that.
"You'll get used to it, eventually. Just enjoy each other's company, okay? Just befriend him. There's nothing wrong about that. You can just never mind the thought that you two are dating, you could just think that you two are just hanging out with each other." I nodded and smiled. I swear, moms know what is best!
"Thanks, mom!" I hugged her again then we walked our way downstairs.
I saw a guy seating on one of our coach in the living room. He still don't know that I'm already walking down the stairs since he's looking down the tiles. He looks like he's praying or thinking things too deep. Chloe's right! He doesn't have the worst aura, the aura that's based on my definition.
"Justin, iho. Ingatan mo 'tong anak ko huh?" Mom kid. I glared at her which made her giggle. Tss.
He stood up and look at me in the eyes. "Oo naman po."
The way he look at me gives me shivers. Ano ba yan? Nakakalunod na ah!
It took us a while na magkatitigan. Ewan ko pero napatitig nalang din ako. 'Di naman sigurong masamang i-compliment sya diba? Kaya sasabihin ko na. He got an expressive set of eyes. Deep, expressive brown eyes.
"Hay nako, kayong mga bata talaga! Mamaya na magtitigan at baka ma-late pa kayo at himatayin na ko sa sobrang kilig sa inyo." My mom teased us for the nth time. Goodness gracious!
"Mom!" I hissed. She gave me a peace sign while giggling which made me glare at her.
Oh! If you'll ask me how does she looks like? Well, she looks like the combination of Angel Aquino and Jean Garcia. She kinda looks like a kikay-sophisticated woman. She's in her mid-40s na but people used to say that she look too young for her age. She's childish at times and she's our (me and my siblings') best friend. And I love her to bits!
"Let's go?" Justin offered his hand. I took a deep breathe, first, and take it. He smiled, so do I. There's nothing wrong with smiling naman diba? I'm just trying to be nice habang nandito pa kami sa bahay. Nilagay nya yung kamay ko sa braso nya, for him to escort me papunta sa car nya. Pinagbuksan nya ko pinto ng kotse nya at umikot sa kabilang side para sumakay sa driver's seat.
He sighed heavily and relaxed himself on his seat.
"Finally! Pwede na tayong umarte ng totoo." He exclaimed when he got in the car.
Napasandal ako at naparelax sa sinabi nya. "Yes, indeed!" I thought it will be awkward and too serious all along. Good thing! Hindi pala.
"Kinabahan ka ba kanina?" He looked at me and asked.
I met his gazed, "To be honest, yes! Akala ko sunod-sunuran ka sa family mo eh." Dumiretso na ulit ako ng tingin.
He smirked. "Hindi noh! Mas okay na kasi 'to kesa ipakasal na ko agad. 'Di pa daw kasi ako tumitino."
He started the car's engine and drove off.
Nang mag-sink-in sa'kin yung sinabi nya, napatingin naman ako bigla sa kanya.
"Bata ka pa naman ah! Why do they have to pressure you about things like that? That's too personal, you know? I mean, kahit pamilya mo pa sila or magulang, I think they have no right to tell you who you should and shouldn't marry or even when and where."
That made him looked at me in.... disbelief? That's what I can read from his expression. "Seriously?"
"What? I just... think about it that way." I honestly answered.
"Woah! You really are different from those rich kid girls or my parents' business partners' daughters, they scheduled me to date, before." His statement made my eyebrows arched.
"What do you mean... different? And, kung magsalita ka naman, akala mo super dami mo ng na-date."
"Lahat sila mga nagmamadali. Ikaw, chill lang. And, that's actually what I like about you. Isa pa, totoong-totoo ka sa kahit sino. And, I've dated more than double your age. So, yeah! Seems like ang konti nga."
"You compliment me like you know me too well. And, woah! Congratulations for successfully dated 38 girls for the past few months or... years."
"So, you're only 19 years old huh? Got'cha!" He winked. I was amused with his humour. "Don't worry, I'm only two years older than you."
"Whatever! So, what's up with the compliments you've got?" Bringing back the last topic.
"Well, I must say that I may not know you that much with the short period of time but, I can already tell your qualities. Unique qualities. And it's because, you're not that hard to come along with. You're too innocent that you don't care what others may think of you. That's why, you're too readable but, still unexpected."
Aww! I was, honestly, touched by his words. It seems so deep and sincere. Kahit nakatingin pa sya sa daan, maririnig mo naman sa boses nya yung sincerity ng bawat words na sinasabi nya. He's so true, too.
"Sorry." He looked at me with widened eyes.
"For what?"
"Hey! Eyes on the road!" Kaloka to!
He chuckles, "Kahit magtitigan pa tayo habang nagmamaneho ako, kaya ko." Pabiro ko syang sinampal para mapatingin na ulit sya sa daan at baka mabangga pa kami pero, makulit ang lahi ng isang 'to at sa'kin pa'rin tumitingin. Juice colored!
"Anyways, that 'sorry' is for judging you based on my speculations. I hate to compliment guys but, y-you are really.... Cool! You're not the type of guy I always, always think you are. So, yeah! I'm... sorry. And, please lang! tumingin ka na sa daan. Madami pa kong pangarap, kaya 'di pa ko pwedeng mamatay." He smiled tapos.... Tapos... pinitik yung ilong ko! Ouch!
"Ouch! What was that for?!" Bumalik na sya ng tingin sa daan pero nakangiti pa'rin.
"That was for you being too cute. And, you don't need to say sorry. It's normal to people to speculate about things. I usually do that."
I smiled and looked outside the city lights and busy streets along Makati going to Manila.
He acts like a gentleman naman din kaya okay lang ako hanggang makarating sa event. But, wait! Where's Chloe?!!!! Oh ghad! Until now, cannot be reached?! Ugh! I tried calling her narin all along the ride after ng chit-chat namin ni Justin pero cannot be reached parin.
"Let's go?" I just nodded and grab his arm which he offered to escort me.
I'll just try to enjoy his company. After all, he's not that jerk anyway.
*****
Chloe's POV
Ghad! Walang taxi. Na-lowbat pa ko. Pa'no na ko makakapag-grab or uber? Nasira din kasi yung car ko. Nakakainis! Nandito kaya ako sa may shortcut to Manila from Makati! Tumirik yung kotse ko. Lagot na talaga!
I walked out of the car and leaned my back on my car's bumper. Wala ba talagang dadaang sasakyan dito?!
About 7 minutes passed...
*beep beeeep!* I signalled the driver to stop. Luckily, he stopped.
Bumaba ng dahan-dahan yung wind shield nung driver's seat at.... Omg! This guy looks so familiar. Saan ko ba nakita 'tong isang to? Ang gwapo pero parang super hyper kung makangiti.
"Hey! So... what's up with your car?" He warmly asked. He got off of his car and faced me. "Miss, I can help you naman if you'll ask." Bigla naman akong natauhan sa sinabi nya. Sh*t! Kakapilit kong alalahanin yung kung sino sya nakatunganga nalang ako sa kanya.
"Oh! Sorry. It's just that... you kinda look familiar to me- - nevermind! Baka kamukha mo lang." He just nodded and smiled.
"So, what's with this cute little thing?" He tapped my car's bumper.
"I don't know. I should really visit the auto repair shop the soonest time possible. Nagloloko na kasi yung makina nya and malas lang na pupunta pa ko sa isang event sa may Manila." I looked down. Nakakainis naman kasi!
"Really? You know what? I have this business gathering somewhere in Manila, too. I can drop you off if you want."
"No-no! I can handle it, I just wanna borrow your phone to contact my best friend. If... it's okay... with you?"
"You don't have load? Or signal ba? Sure, ito oh." He handed me his phone.
"No. Naka-line ako. Deadbat nga lang. Thanks!" I get the phone from him and dialled Bianca's number. Buti nalang, memorized ko.
I was typing Bianca's number when one of his contact appear.
0906924****
Ms. Bianca Buenavente
He knows Bianca?! What the- -
"Hey! Do you know.... Bianca Buenavente?" I asked.
"Yes, of course! Yung maganda pero supladang yun? Hahaha! Man-hater nga eh. T-teka! You know her too?" He amusedly asked.
I nodded. "Yep. That man-hater, suplada, beautiful girl you're talking about is my best friend."
"Woah! Small world.- - wait! So, if you two are best friends and you are dressed formally, then- - oh, come on! Don't tell me you're going to 'The Bayleaf' hotel?" My eyes widened.
"Ikaw rin?! Seriously?" He nodded.
"Yup! So ano, tara na? Wala naman din akong date eh! Mabo-bored lang ako dun. Sabay na tayo!" He offered.
"Date?- - what I mean is, baka may- -" He cut me off.
"Don't worry. I'm single, gentleman and... HARMLESS! Wala akong gagawing masama sayo. Isipin mo nalang, magpapasama lang ako sayong bumili sa mall. Or... baka naman ikaw ang- -" He smiled and I sighed.
"Single din ako, okay? Fine! Sasabay na ko. Thanks, anyway." I got my bag and keys sa loob ng kotse tapos pinagbuksan na nya ko ng pinto ng kotse nya at bago nya isara yun ay may pabulong syang sinabi na ikinatawa ko ng malakas.
"Joke lang yung kanina about Bianca ah? 'Wag mo kong isusumbong. Mabubugbog ako nung amazonang yun!"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
*deep sigh*
Finally! I'm now safe and sound...
*****
After less than an hour...
We're finally here! Traffic kasi eh. Especially, along Makati. As soon as we've reached this place, we searched for Bianca and Justin kasi, for sure, magkasama yun dahil hindi ko sya napuntahan kaninang before 7 pm.
Malaki yung place and super daming tao. More on sophisticated type of people, hindi naman din maiiwasang mawalan ng mga 'di nabiyayaan ng kagandahang-asal. I'm still accompanied with... this guy. Oo nga pala! We still don't know each other's name. Stupid me!
"She's the one I was telling you, a while ago. Umiwas ka jan. She's a... b*tch, most of the time." He smirked. We're talking about some people we encountered here. He kinda gives me hints about each one of them.
"She look like one, anyway." I smirked. "By the way, I still haven't get to know you. Even just your name. It's kinda weird, you know?"
"Oh, yeah! Forgot to introduce myself." He placed the wine glass, he's holding, on the table and wiped or sort of cleaned his hand then offer it to me. "Louie, I'm very glad to meet you!"
I smiled, "Chloe. Chloe Javier, it's an honour to meet you." I express my gratitude towards his kindness.
"Same. So, tell me about yourself. Maybe, just a summarized information about you." He asked as he occasionally drink his wine from the wine glass he's holding.
"Well, I'm just a typical nerdy girl. I'm weird, I love to read good books, and I'm an introvert. Like, I can just seat in one corner with a good book and my favorite coffee, all day long, or just my earphones and phone with good songs in it. So, yeah! Nothing much."
"You have a life!" He exclaimed.
"Did I heard that right? The sarcasm between those lines?" I drink my wine.
He chuckles, "Was just kidding. But, seriously speaking? You have a more interesting life than me. I'm plain and boring. If I'm not helping others around just for my father's happiness, I am just laid back. Anyways, he's a politician and our clan wants me to be like him."
"You know what? I never thought I could actually find a guy version of me. I used to tell that to myself, that I'm too plain, boring, hopeless romantic, useless, just another nonsense living creature who just contributes to the world's population and... what-not." I shook my head in disbelief.
"Exactly. That feeling when you're just like waiting for your death? You know that? It's like we're just nothing. We don't have plans for our future, like most people have. Doesn't have dreams to fulfil. Patapong bata. Walang kwenta. Umaasa lang sa magulang. Name it! Kaso kahit anong piga ko, wala talaga kong direction sa buhay."
"Yung pinipilit nalang tapusin ang araw-araw na puro enjoy lang kasi wala ka namang pake sa lahat ng bagay."
"At yung kahit anong gawin mo, wala kang makuhang matinong sagot sa sarili mo kasi nalilito ka."
We looked at each other and laugh.
"Did you realized what just happened?" He smiled and give me a 'what-do-you-mean' look.
"We were like talking to our own selves, a while ago. It's like, I'm talking to myself in front of the mirror."
He chuckles, "You're right. We can really relate into each other. By the way, how's your love life?"
"Same thing, plain, boring... zero! I'm NBSB since, I'd just walked out of my comfort zone, not too long from now."
"Seriously? Kambal ata tayo eh. Well, I got issues about being gay 'cause I haven't fell in love, yet. Puro like palang, not love. That's too deep. Kaya ayun, since politician si Papa, he used to plan meet-ups or dates of mine with his amigos' daughters. But, I'm a real man, okay? I just don't want to rush things up."
"Point well taken! So, how that one turned out?"
He shrugged. "Useless."
"Really? I, actually, was about to try that with the help of my best friend. So, wish me luck!"
"Good luck!" He patted my head.
"Cheers?"
"Cheers to our spontaneous life!" He snapped my glass with his as I giggle.
It's fun to meet your guy version. I never thought of befriending someone in about 10 minutes of my life, looking for some help. God really works in unexpected and mysterious ways.
*****
Bianca's POV
It was already 10 pm when we decided to leave the place. I had fun with this guy beside me. We eat, dance and laugh together! We're actually good friends, now.
I just hate what happened, earlier in the party, when two random girls keep on pushing themselves to Justin, who doesn't even pay any attention to them. We were goofing around, talking about some of our funny experiences for the past years, when the two girls came.
A tanned thin girl with almost the height of Justin, because of her heels, whose name is Gene approached him pushing her body closer to Justin, together with another girl with fair complexion, which was obviously used tons of glutathione just to achieved it. She's shorter than me, maybe, she's just around 5'3 or 5'4 since I'm 5'7. Her name is Christina daw. They keep on flirting Justin who occasionally pull me to him and walked away from the two.
Medyo bastos lang talaga sila, kanina. They could've excuse him naman from our conversation if they want to but, no! They didn't. Just like what he told me, they're b*tches from a well-known clan. Too bad for their clan, having dumb*ss and assh*les with them? Such an awful thing.
"Where here!" My thoughts suddenly fade.
We got off of the car and he assisted me up to our gate. "So, how's it? I hope you enjoyed."
"Yeah! It's, actually, not as bad, awkward and boring night as I was expecting it to be. You're fun and cool, y'know?"
"Does that mean- - I mean, if ever I ask you again to hang out..." He looked unsure and sighed deeply before looking down his shoes, "Never mind!"
I know what he was about to ask, which made me smirked. "Sure. We can do this again. Maybe, some other time."
He looked at me with his eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"
I just nodded and smiled. He has this cute side, you know?
"Thank you! Thank... you!" He suddenly hugged me. I was caught off guard. Woah! "Oops! Sorry! But, thank you, again. I didn't know this will work, like we're now friends and it turns out that I now have a girl comrade."
"Hahaha! That's funny. Anyways, tip lang. Enjoy your life. Don't waste it and wag kang ma-pressure sa mga sinasabi ng iba. You owned it." I smiled.
"I think we should hang out, every single day, so that, you can always advise and remind me of that."
"Baliw! Have you forgotten that we're busy persons?"
"Nah! Enjoy your life!"
"Ewan ko sayo. Alis na nga. Inaantok na ko."
Ginulo nya bigla yung buhok ko. Ay, bastos! I poked his hand which made him chuckle. "Matutulog ka na naman kaya pwede na. Sige na, pasok ka na. Aalis na ko pag nasa kwarto ka na."
"Seryoso?" I gave him a 'you-are-one-weird-guy' look which made him smirk.
"Sige na. Akyat na!"
"Oo na." I turned my back at him and get the keys to open the gate. I was about to go inside and lock the gate when he grab my wrist.
"Oh! Akala ko ba pinapapasok mo na ko?"
"Oo nga. I just wanna say... goodnight and thank you." He looked deeply in my eyes. Ayan na naman! Napapatitig na naman ako. CUT THE CRAP, BIANCA!
"Goodnight... and thank you rin." Pumasok na ko sa gate at nung papasara na ko, nagsalita pa ko ulit. "Ingat ka paguwi." Sinara ko na agad yung gate kasi bigla akong nahiya. Ano ba yun? What so big deal about saying that? Madalas ko namang sabihin yun sa tao-tao. I'm really weird, at times. Seriously!
*****
After having a quick bathe, I rushed to my bed and blower my hair...
*ting!* I checked my phone. Ooops! Someone texted me.
From: Justin the Demon
Hey! Ahm.. I hope you had a good night. I had so much fun.
I'd like to have a coffee on your café, tomorrow. Please be there.
Sweet dreams!
Before I replied, I edit his caller id.
Justin the Demon – 0906828****
Justin Ford J - 0906828****
To: Justin Ford J
Same here. Make sure, you'll have your coffee around 5 pm onwards.
I might have classes before 5 pm. Sweet dreams, see you!
From: Justin Ford J
I, surely, will. :)
Justin, Justin Ford! I've never thought you'll make feel what I've never felt to some other guys. I never thought you could actually be that cool. I never thought you can make me feel special for just a night. I never thought that, of all people, it will be... You!
That's why, thank you!